We live in difficult times. Life sometimes seems like a turbulent river threatening to drown us and destroy the world. Why, then, shouldn’t we cling to the certainty of the shore—to our familiar patterns and habits? Because, Pema Chödrön teaches, that kind of fear-based clinging keeps us from the infinitely more satisfying experience of being fully alive. The teachings she presents here—known as the “Three Commitments”—provide a wealth of wisdom for learning to step right into the river, to completely and fearlessly embrace the groundlessness of being human. When we do, we begin to see not only how much better it feels to live that way, but we find that we begin to naturally and effectively reach out to others in care and support.